Lok Sabha elections 2024: Ajit Pawar calls PM 'vikas purush'; mocks MLA Rohit Pawar for teary moment at Supriya Sule's rally

Ajit Pawar. Pic/X

Amid ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the country's "vikas purush" during a rally in Baramati in Pune district.

Campaigning for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 ended at 6 pm. Among the seats that will go to polls from the state is Baramati, where Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar is pitted as the ruling alliance candidate against sitting MP and Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule.

"PM Modi is the vikas purush of this country. This Lok Sabha poll is extremely important. Baramati has not received funds from the Centre for the last 15 years (Sule has been MP for the past three terms). Development projects worth Rs 2,499 crore have been approved," Pawar said.

He also mocked NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar over the latter wiping off tears after getting emotional during a speech in support of Sule here.

"I told you someone will try to play on your emotions. But such acts don't work," the deputy CM said. Pawar said he doesn't pay attention to criticism and continues working with development as his only priority. Looking at the sizable crowd, Pawar said, "I have attended multiple rallies but I never witnessed such a big crowd. It reaffirms we are winning here."

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Sunday asserted the performance of his party and its allies in Maharashtra will provide a new direction to the country.

Addressing a rally on the last day of Lok Sabha elections 2024 campaigning in Baramati, the veteran leader sought to strike an emotional chord with the people and said till the time everyone is together no one can touch Baramatikars.

Baramati is witnessing a tight contest between Sharad Pawar's daughter and incumbent MP Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar, wife of her cousin and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. It will go to polls on May 7.

"The state is facing issues related to unemployment and agriculture but power is not being used to address them. In the polls we will perform in such a way that NCP (SP) and its allies will win all seats and the country will get a new direction. This poll is important from that perspective," Sharad Pawar said.

In an appeal to the voters of Baramati, he said their decision will be for the betterment of the region and Maharashtra as a whole.

(With inputs from PTI)